St. Augustine Summer Camps 2026: The Complete Guide for Families
2026 GTM Adventures in the Estuary Summer Camp
Summer in St. Augustine is different. Where most Florida cities offer your typical day camp, St. Johns County and St. Augustine’s unique geography combine for a summer full of adventure. A historic coastline, a working lighthouse, a world-class zoological park, miles of surf-able Atlantic beach, and the nation’s oldest living history sites. All of these make for a summer camp landscape that is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Your child can spend a week learning to surf the same Atlantic waters that Spanish galleons once crossed, camp out at a zoological park home to the world’s largest collection of live crocodilians, sail under the Bridge of Lions, or spend mornings learning blacksmithing at Colonial Quarter. Summer 2026 in St. Augustine runs a wide gamut; here’s a comprehensive guide to the best camps, organized by type, so you can find the right fit for every kid, every age, and every schedule.
Surf, Sailing, and Water Sports Camps
With miles of Atlantic coastline and the protected Matanzas River estuary right on the doorstep of the historic city, St. Augustine has long been home to some of the best water sports camps in Northeast Florida. Whether your child is chasing their first wave or learning to read the wind, the options are exceptional.
Child surfing in crystal clear water
Pit Surf — Weekly Sessions Starting May 26th through August 6th, 2026
Pit Surf runs Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Their camp dates begin May 26th and are offered weekly through August 6th. They provide boards for their students, as well as health snacks throughout the day too.
Happy Waves Surf School — Weekly Sessions Starting June 1st through August 6th, 2026
Happy Waves runs Monday through Thursday surf camps from 9:00 a.m. to noon for ages 8–16. A well-regarded option for first-time surfers and intermediate riders alike. Their program is offered from June 1st through August 6th.
Surf Station — Weekly Sessions Starting June 1st through August 17th, 2026
Surf Station is home to the longest-running surf camp in St. Augustine, and its reputation is well-earned. Half-day camps run 9:00 a.m. to noon; full-day camps run 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. A second location, Surf Station II, runs the same schedule from May 25th through August 17th.
Anastasia State Park
Anastasia Watersports — Weekly Sessions Starting June 22nd through July 31st, 2026
Operating out of Anastasia State Park, this camp runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for ages 8–12. Kids learn paddleboarding, kayaking, and basic water safety in one of the most beautiful natural settings in Northeast Florida, in addition to gaining an appreciation for the marine life ecosystems.
Image courtesy of St. Augustine Yacht Sailing Club
St. Augustine Yacht Club Sailing Camp — Weekly Sessions Starting June through August 2026
The St. Augustine Yacht Club offers sailing camps for ages 8–17 throughout the summer. Times vary by session. One of the few dedicated sailing programs in the region, and an exceptional option for kids who want to learn to read the wind and water in a genuinely historic nautical environment.
History, Science, and Education Camps: Only in St. Augustine
St. Augustine’s unique position as the nation’s oldest city gives it a summer camp ecosystem unlike anywhere else in Florida. Several of its most celebrated cultural institutions run their own camps, turning summer into a genuine educational adventure
Image courtesy of GTM Reserve
GTM Research Reserve Camp — Weekly Sessions June 1st through July 17th
Your children will embark on a summer adventure with GTM Research Reserve’s Summer Camp. This is perfect for your young explorer to have wildlife encounters, eco-adventures, and experience guided activities by experts who enrich your child’s love for learning.
Image courtesy of St. Johns County Parks and Recreation
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Lottery Camps — Weekly Sessions June 1st through July 24th
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation offers camps for children ages 5-12, as well as a separate junior lifeguard camp for students 13 and older. Campers are chosen via lottery and get to participate in fun activities like field trips, art projects, swimming explorations, and other adventures led by experienced local staff
Image courtesy of St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum — Weekly Sessions starting June 2nd through July 17th
The Lighthouse’s “Nation’s Oldest Port Summer Camp” is one of the most distinctive educational camp programs in Northeast Florida. Open to 1st through 4th graders, the program offers week-long themed sessions focused on maritime heritage, archaeology, communication technology, and environmental conservation. Kids get behind-the-scenes access to the lighthouse and museum collections that general visitors never see.
Image courtesy of St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoo Camp — Weekly Sessions June 8th through August 7th
Zoo Camp at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of the most popular and unique educational summer programs in all of St. Johns County. Week-long camps are offered for ages 6–10, with themed sessions ranging from zookeeper training and animal behavior to Pirate Adventure and the science of movie creatures. Single-day camps are also available. All camps run 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Alligator Farm’s world-record crocodilian collection provides a genuinely unmatched educational backdrop.
Image courtesy of Summer Camp at the Lightner Museum
The Lightner Museum Summer Camps — Weekly Sessions June 15th through July 31st
The Lightner Museum offers different weekly camps full of creativity, discovery, and educational fun! Different unique themes are offered each week, relating to topics on history, art, magic, and the world around us!
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Exploration Camps — Weekly Sessions July 6th through August 7th
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation offers Exploration camps for children ranging from kindergarten through middle school. They will join a Park Naturalist to go on outdoor adventures, attend daily field trips, and have hands on opportunities with fishing, kayaking, and many beach cleanups.
Mathnasium Summer Camp — Weekly Sessions all throughout Summer 2026
The Mathnasium Summer Camp is where learning meets fun! Your children can spend their summer with Mathnasium Summer camps, work on enhancing their math skills, enjoying different hands-on STEM projects, and receiving personalized instruction to avoid the ‘summer slip’ in their academics.
Arts, Animal, and Specialty Camps
Beyond the water and the history, St. Augustine’s summer camp scene covers the full spectrum: from studio art to farm mornings on an actual working St. Johns farm.
Image courtesy of Southern Pines Equestrian Center
Southern Pines Equestrian Summer Camp — Three Day Sessions in the Month of May
Children can spend their mornings riding horses with trained instructors through Southern Pines Equestrian Summer Camps. Ranging from instruction on caring for horses, information about the species itself, and riding lessons, the spaces are limited so reserve yours today!
Image courtesy of Wesley Wells Farm
Wesley Wells Farms — June 1st through June 19th, 2026
For something truly unlike any other camp in the region, Wesley Wells Farms offers a Farm Life Summer Camp for ages 5–12, running Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon during three weeks in June. Kids get hands-on farm experience with animals and the land in a pastoral setting just outside the city. A wonderful option for children who want to spend summer mornings outdoors doing something genuinely different.
Image courtesy of the St. Augustine Aquarium
St. Augustine Aquarium Summer Camp — Weekly Sessions Starting June 1st through August 3rd
Want to spend your summer learning all about our underwater ecosystems? The St. Augustine Aquarium Summer Camp will teach your kids all about sharks, stingrays, tropical reef fish, and even our animal friends in the sky, as they study Florida birds too! Through interactive touch-and-feed opportunities, different games, and plenty of water fun, kids have the opportunity to get involved with snorkeling, archery, shark painting, and even dissections. At the aquarium, learning is an adventure!
Image courtesy of St. Augustine Art Association
St. Augustine Art Association Summer Camps — Weekly Sessions Starting June 1st through July 31st, 2026
For your artistic children, the St. Augustine Art Association offers kids’ art camps for ages 5–17 throughout the summer, with sessions in June and July. Each week-long camp is themed around a different medium or artistic concept, encouraging genuine creativity and self-expression. Some of these mediums include ceramics, painting, drawing, and painting. Hours vary by session.
Image courtesy of First Coast Cultural Center
First Coast Cultural Center Summer Camps — Weekly Sessions Starting June 2nd through July 24th, 2026
This summer, take your childs education ‘Up, Up, and Away’ as First Coast Cultural Center themes their summer camps to this principle: exploring all things from dragons, planets, things that fly, and so much more! Weekly session themes vary and will include: Fantasy Flyers. Space and Beyond, Things with Wings, Culinary Camp, Artful Engineering, Aerial Perspectives, Textures in the Sky, Reaching the Sun, and a 2-day Drama Camp for your little actors too.
Image courtesy of the YMCA
YMCA Summer Camp — Weekly Sessions Starting June 8th through July 24th, 2026
The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast operates summer day camps at multiple St. Augustine locations for ages 5–12. The 2026 season runs June 8 through July 24 (excluding June 19 and July 3), Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. — one of the broadest schedules available and ideal for working parents needing reliable full-day coverage. Activities include arts and crafts, swimming, field trips, and nature hikes.
Image courtesy of Limelight Theatre
Limelight Theatre of St. Augustine — Sessions Starting June 8th through July 24th, 2026
Offering a variety of creative programs for your young Broadway stars, the Limelight Theatre puts on summer programming that offers theater intensives, musical productions, and many creative workshops. This summers productions will include Willy Wonka Kids, The Little Mermaid Jr., and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Tips for Booking St. Augustine Summer Camps in 2026
St. Augustine’s best summer camps fill quickly, some within days of registration opening. A few practical notes to help you secure a spot.
Register early. The Lighthouse camp, Alligator Farm Zoo Camp, and all surf camps fill up fast in spring.
Mix and match by theme. A popular approach for St. Augustine families is to mix a week of surf camp with a week of history or zoo camp, giving kids varied experiences while keeping summer structured. Most half-day camps also allow families to pair morning and afternoon programs if the schedules align.
Consider the Counselor-in-Training program for teens. St. Johns County Parks and Recreation offers a 7-week Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program for teens ages 13–16, providing job training, leadership skills, and one-on-one mentorship from camp counselors. It’s a well-regarded program that gives older kids meaningful summer structure.
Summary
St. Augustine summer camps in 2026 offer a genuinely exceptional range of experiences that only this city’s unique geography and cultural landscape could provide. From surfing the Atlantic and sailing under the Bridge of Lions to spending a week behind the scenes at one of the world’s most remarkable zoological parks, or farming mornings at a working St. Johns County farm, the summer camp options here are as distinctive as the city itself; you can build a summer schedule that keeps your kids active, curious, and making memories all season long.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best summer camps in St. Augustine, Florida in 2026?
St. Augustine’s standout summer camps include Surf Station (the city’s longest-running surf camp), the St. Augustine Lighthouse’s Nation’s Oldest Port Summer Camp, the Alligator Farm Zoo Camp, the St. Augustine Yacht Club Sailing Camp, the YMCA day camps, and St. Johns County Parks and Recreation programs including the Exploration Camp and Archery Camp. For arts, The Art House at St. Augustine Beach runs week-long themed camps through July.
Are there summer camps in St. Augustine for teens?
Yes. Several programs specifically serve teenagers: the St. Augustine Yacht Club Sailing Camp (ages 6–17), Happy Waves Surf School (ages 8–16), and the county’s Lifeguard Training Program. The Counselor-in-Training program (ages 13–16, 7 weeks) is an especially strong option for teens seeking leadership development and real job-training experience alongside a meaningful outdoor role.
What summer camps are available near St. Augustine Beach?
St. Augustine Beach is home to several excellent summer camps including Surf Station, Happy Waves Surf School, and Pit Surf . Anastasia Watersports at Anastasia State Park also runs a kayak and paddleboard camp for ages 8–12 from late June through July.
Find the Right St. Augustine Summer Camp for Your Family
Summer in St. Augustine is one of the best gifts you can give a kid, a season of surf, history, wildlife, and adventure in a city unlike anywhere else in the country. The camps listed here represent the best of what St. Johns County has to offer in 2026, but new programs are added regularly. For the most up-to-date listings, family event recommendations, and everything you need to plan a great summer in St. Augustine, visit OldCity.com — and start planning before the best spots fill up.
The post St. Augustine Summer Camps 2026: The Complete Guide for Families appeared first on St. Augustine, FL | Oldcity.com.
#mortgagestaugustine, #staugustinecondomortgage, #staugustinecondomortgagerates, #staugustinecondotelfinancing, #staugustinecondotelmortgagerates, #staugustinemortgage, #staugustinemortgagebroker, #staugustinemortgageclculator, #staugustinemortgagecompany, #staugustinemortgagerates